Plans for neighborhood unveiled

GONZALES — At the start of the new year, public hearings will be held for the residential portion of the Edenborne Development off La. 44, as well as for an expansion of a longtime local business.

Deric Murphy, president of Quality Engineering and Surveying, presented site plans to the Gonzales Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday night for a 350-home subdivision that will be developed by Level Homes of Baton Rouge.

The subdivision would be part of the mixed-use Edenborne community south of Interstate 10 that’s home to River Parishes Community College.

Murphy said the subdivision would be built in three phases, with a clubhouse and green spaces to be included in the first phase.

Planning and Zoning Commission members also heard from Brian Marchand, owner of Marchand’s Interior and Hardware, established in Gonzales in 1949. He’s looking to expand the business, located on Alexander Street in the oldest section of Gonzales.

The existing store is zoned commercial retail, and Marchand is asking that adjacent property now housing offices and storage for the company be rezoned from business to retail commercial, as well. The company would like to build an 8,800-square-foot addition to the Marchand’s store there.

Public hearings on the site plans for the Edenborne subdivision and for the rezoning request for the Marchand company will be held at the Planning and Zoning Commission’s next meeting, on Jan. 4.

A landowner who would like to develop a destination-type recreational vehicle park off La. 44, south of Interstate 10, came to tell commissioners what he’s envisioning for the park.

The park would have a large lake, pier and gazebo, clubhouse, pool, play area and possibly cabins for short-term rental, said Tom Pertuit.

“There will be a major lake in front and the park will be grown with native trees, a more naturalized park,” Pertuit said.

A portion of the property is in city limits, and Pertuit said he would be seeking to have the remainder annexed by the city.